hammer and tongs

American  

adverb

1. with great vigor, determination, or vehemence.

   When he starts a job he goes at it hammer and tongs.

   Synonyms:

   wholeheartedly, fiercely, energetically, hard

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hammer and tongs Idioms  

1. Forcefully, with great vigor. For example, She went at the weeds hammer and tongs, determined to clean out the long neglected flowerbed. Often put as go at it hammer and tongs, this phrase alludes to the blacksmith's tools. [c. 1700]

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Etymology

Origin of hammer and tongs

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

He said that while his Labour and Conservative opponents would be going "hammer and tongs to discredit each other" he would be going "hammer and tongs" for Scotland.

From BBC • May 23, 2024

The world knew them as once-in-a-generation rivals, tennis titans who went at each other hammer and tongs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2018

They have gone at each other hammer and tongs in swimsuits, leotards and running shorts on fields of play but mostly been the picture of grace once done with competing.

From Washington Times • Aug. 17, 2016

The players in red and those in blue demonstrated that by going at each other like hammer and tongs at Old Trafford.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 9, 2013

If Charlie hadn’t stepped in, we’d probably still have been at it hammer and tongs today.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson